Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has offered Serbian director Emir Kusturica the job of artistic director of the Russian army's theater in Moscow, writes the Russian news agency TASS.

Kusturica has said yes and says it is a great honor.

"The Russian army's theater scene has a long history and tradition," says Kusturica via the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The idea is that he will put on performances of Soviet film classics such as And the Cranes Fly (1957), as well as his own films.

During the meeting with the Russian Minister of Defense, Kusturica is said to have expressed the importance of "preserving classical values, in a world in rapid change."

Previous pro-Russian statements

Kusturica has previously shown its support for Russia.

In connection with the takeover of Crimea, he said that he had always considered it part of Russia and that the course of events is a natural process.

He has also received an award from Putin for his work in promoting Russian culture.

Emir Kusturica is also known from the band The no smoking orchestra (Zabranjeno pusenje) - declared a cult in 80s Sarajevo.

In 2015, the band was to perform in Kiev, but the concert was canceled after extensive criticism from cultural workers and activists.

The Ministry of Culture feared that the concert would lead to mass protests due to his pro-Russian statements.

Since then, the band has done several gigs on the Crimean peninsula.

In 2018, Kusturica dedicated a song to the Russian Minister of Defense Sjojgu, who has now offered him the job at the theater.

A controversial figure

Kusturica is the former Yugoslavia's leading film director, with films such as Black Cat, White Cat and The Time of the Gypsies.

He has been awarded several times and has, among other things, received the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for When Dad Was Gone (1985) and Underground (1995).

He has also previously been the subject of controversy.

After the war in the Balkans, he has been accused of spreading pro-Serbian propaganda in his films.

Last year, Kusturica revealed that he is writing a book about Nobel laureate Peter Handke, who also received sharp criticism for taking a stand for Serbia in the war in the 90s.

The controversy has led to parts of the film world boycotting events he has been a part of.

But several have also shown their support.

As recently as last week, Hollywood star Johnny Depp received a medal from Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, and in his speech, Depp thanked Emir Kusturica, for "giving him new life".